Abstract
This chapter introduces the concept of wellness tourism, the growth of the phenomenon, and the various types of related products. Shifts in travel demand patterns and the experiences and motivations of tourists engaging in wellness tourism are examined. The multidisciplinary roots and the various approaches and concepts that contribute to wellness tourism are analysed. The chapter reviews existing definitions of wellness tourism, proposing a comprehensive one, in addition to a basic typology of the concept. This is positioned in an interdisciplinary context, summarizing tourism-specific contributions from medicine, public health, psychology, sociology, business, marketing, and other disciplines. This chapter also introduces the book’s contents organized into three sections: the conceptual links between wellness and tourism, the constructs of wellness tourism, and its motivations and experiences.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Wellness and Tourism: Mind, Body, Spirit, Place |
| Editors | Robyn Bushell, Pauline J. Sheldon |
| Place of Publication | U.S. |
| Publisher | Cognizant Communication Corporation |
| Pages | 3-18 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781882345519 |
| Publication status | Published - 2009 |